DCCC, Chef Dion's Restaurant to offer cooking series

Published: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at 11:42 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, August 27, 2013 at 11:42 a.m.

Davidson County Community College will be cooking up international flavor thanks to a monthly series of continuing education courses that partner with Chef Dion's Restaurant in Welcome. The first class in the series will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 8; cost is $49.

The class, "Chef Dion's Delicious Demos: Italian Dinner," will be led by Chef Dion Sprenkle who will explore the flavors of Italy while preparing phenomenal dishes for the class to taste.

Sprenkle is a classically trained chef who graduated in 1992 from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y. His résumé includes some of the finest restaurants in New York. He was the chef de cuisine at the New York Palace Hotel, executive chef at The Water Club and at Spazzia Restaurant, and chef de cuisine at Spartina Restaurant.

Hosted similar in fashion to a network television cooking show, Chef Dion will prepare a meal in front of the class while explaining every step of the way. Once finished, everyone will enjoy a meal of avocado gazpacho, chicken cacciatore and a cheese risotto. Class participants are encouraged to bring a bottle of white wine, preferably Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.

"We are excited to share this ongoing series that will feature a host of worldly flavors," said Rhonda Winters, part-time program coordinator for the School of Business, Engineering and Technical Studies at DCCC. "Cooking classes are always a great deal of fun but also educational in that folks in the community are literally opened up to the world of cooking. Having a talent like Chef Dion teach community members is a real treat. It's our hope that the community will join us in this international cooking adventure."

Future classes will be held in the coming months and will include both demonstrations, as well as hands-on cooking classes. October's theme will be "The Deep, Dense Flavors of Fall"; November's theme will be "Moroccan Thanksgiving."

A minimum of 10 students are required for the September class. Registration is preferred no later than Sept. 4. To register, call 224-4545.

The physical address for Chef Dion's Restaurant is 5479 Old U.S. Highway 52 in Welcome. Call 731-6496 for more information.

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